Pressurized fuel tank support for vehicles

ABSTRACT

A pressurized fuel tank for a vehicle engine is confined removably in a protective case formed of a pair of hinged half shells to one of which a tank supporting base is secured. A hinge assembly, secured to one of the half shells, is adapted for attachment to a frame member of a vehicle, such as a lift truck, for supporting the case for pivotal adjustment between a retracted position within the perimeter of the vehicle, for protection of the fuel tank during operation of the vehicle, and an extended position projecting outwardly of the perimeter of the vehicle, for enabling opening of the case and replacement of the fuel tank.

Price Feb. 5, 197 4 PRESSURIZED FUEL TANK SUPPORT FOR VEHICLES WilliamR. Price, 3607 SE. 130th Ave., Portland, Oreg. 97236 Filed: Nov. 6, 1972Appl. No.: 304,249

Inventor:

US. Cl 280/5 A, 214/450, 214/454, 224/4244 Int. Cl B60p 3/00 Field ofSearch 280/5 R, 5 A; 224/4244; 214/454 References Cited UNITED STATESPATENTS 3,398,846 8/1968 Ragan et a1 214/454 Primary Examiner-LeoFriaglia Attorney, Agent, or FirmOliver ID. Olson [5 7] ABSTRACT Apressurized fuel tank for a vehicle engine is confined removably in aprotective case formed of a pair of hinged half shells to one of which atank supporting base is secured. A hinge assembly, secured to one of thehalf shells, is adapted for attachment to a frame member of a vehicle,such as a lift truck, for supporting the case for pivotal adjustmentbetween a retracted position within the perimeter of the vehicle, forprotection of the fuel tank during operation of the vehicle, and anextended position projecting outwardly of the perimeter of the vehicle,for enabling opening of the case and replacement of the fuel tank.

13 Claims, 10 Drawing Figures PRESSURIZED FUEL TANK SUPPORT FOR VEHICLESBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to industrialvehicles which utilize pressurized propane or other gaseous fuel fortheir engines, and more particularly to a protective support for thetank which contains such pressurized fuel.

Conversion of industrial vehicle engines from liquid fuel, such asgasoline, to propane or other pressurized gaseous fuel, is gaining inpopularity, particularly as a result of recent recognition of the needto reduce the magnitude of contaminants exhausted to the atmosphere.However, such conversions carry the requirement to protect thepressurized fuel tank against rupture by inadvertent contact withexternal objects.

Protective cases for such fuel tanks have been provided heretofore.However, they have not been completely satisfactory, primarily becausethey do not enable movement of the case from a protective positionwithin the periphery of the vehicle to an exposed position outwardly ofthe periphery of the vehicle to facilitate replacement of the tankand/or access to the engine compartment. Additionally, such protectivecases heretofore have been capable of installation only on a limitednumber of types of vehicles.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In its basic concept, this invention provides aprotective case for pressurized fuel tanks, which case includes amounting assembly affording a variety of adjustments for accommodatingmounting on a wide variety of vehicles and movement of the case betweena retracted position within the perimeter of the vehicle for protectionof the fuel tank during operation of the vehicle, and an extendedposition projecting outwardly of the perimeter of the vehicle, tofacilitate opening of the case and replacement of the fuel tank, or toallow opening of the engine hood.

It is by virtue of the foregoing basic concept that the principalobjective of this invention is achieved; namely, to overcome theaforementioned disadvantages of prior protective cases.

Another important object of this invention is the provision of aprotective case of the class described which accommodates the mountingof a pressurized fuel tank either in vertical position or in horizontalposition.

A further important object of this invention is the provision of aprotective case of the class described which is of simplifiedconstruction for economical manufacture and which is versatile in itsutility with a variety of types of vehicles and the standard types ofpressurized fuel tanks.

The foregoing and other objects and advantages of this invention willappear from the following detailed description, taken in connection withthe accompanying drawings of preferred embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation ofalift truck having mounted thereon a pressurized fuel tanksupportembodying the features of this invention.

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary rear end elevation, taken on the line 2-2 inFIG. 1, showing the retracted position of the support and tank in full.lines and the extended positon thereof in broken lines.

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view, taken on the line 33 in FIG. 1,showing in plan the aforementioned retracted and extended positions ofthe support in full and broken lines, respectively.

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view, similar to'FIG. 3, showing inplan the open arrangement of the support for replacement of a fuel tank.

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 5-5 in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 66 in FIG. 3.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary view in transverse elevation showing the supportof this invention in a second embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary, foreshortened sectional view, taken on the line8-8 in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a foreshortened view in side elevation, similar to FIG. 7,showing the fuel tank support of this invention in a third embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an anchor block constructionaccommodating its use in the alternative positions illustrated in FIGS.3 and 8.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS For purposes merely ofillustration, the pressurized fuel tank support of this invention isshown in FIG. 1 in association with a conventioal form of industriallift truck. The lift truck includes a frame 10 mounted on wheels 12 andsupporting at its forward end a powered elevator 14 for movingvertically a pair of laterally spaced, load-supporting forks 16. Theframe also supports an internal combustion engine (not shown) confinedwithin a housing 18 which incl ues a removable cover 18 for gainingaccess to the engine for servicing. The left side portion of the housingsupports an operators seat 20 (FIG. 1) and backrest 22 (FIG. 2).Rearwardly of the engine housing and extending transversely of thevehicle frame is a heavy casting which functions as a counterweight 24at the end of the vehicle opposite the lifting forks. The counterweightis secured to the frame and thus forms an integral part thereof.

Protection of the operator against falling objects is provided by anoverhead roof 26 supported between a pair of laterally spaced,structural frames 28 of inverted U-shape. The downwardly extending frontleg 30 of each frame is secured to the forward end of the main vehicleframe and the downwardly extending rear .leg 32 of each frame is securedto the counterweight. The roof and supporting frame members thus form anintegral part of the vehicle frame.

The vehicle engine is adapted, by conversion, tooperate on propane orother gaseous fuel supplied in pressurized tanks. There are two forms ofstandard tanks, one identified as an ASME tank and the other as an ICCtank. The latter type of tank is illustrated, and it comprises acylindrical tank 34 provided with a closed bottom end of reduceddiameter and a cylindrical shield 36 extending upwardly from its upperend. The shield functions to protect the hose connections and controlvalves, as will be understood. Openings 38 in the cylindrical shieldafford access to the hose fittings and valves.

In the use of pressurized fuel tanks for conversion of industrialvehicles, it is a regulatory requirement that the tank be protectedagainst rupture and other dam age by inadvertent contact with externalobjects. The support of this invention affords such protection inaddition to facilitating the replacement of the tank, as is periodicallyrequired.

The support of this invention includes a protective case formed of apair of substantially semi-circular half shells 40 and 42 of steel,aluminum or other suitable structural material. The two shells arehinged together at one of their adjacent longitudinal edges, as by meansof the illustrated pair of longitudinally spaced hinges 44. The halfshells thus are movable, one relative to the other, between a closedposition, shown in full lines in FIG. 3, in which the half shells form aclose cylindrical case for protectively surrounding a pressurized fueltank, and an open position, shown in full lines in FIG. 4, toaccommodate replacement of the fuel tank.

The closed position of the half shells is secured releasably by means ofany suitable form of latch mechanism interengaging the half shellsacross the confronting longitudinal edges opposite the hings. In theembodiment illustrated, such a latch mechanism includes a conventionalspring-retracted hook member 46 connected at one end pivotally to one ofthe shells. The opposite, hook end is adapted to engage an outwardprojection 48 on the other half shell. As illustrated in FIG. 4, theprojection is formed by an outwardly struck portion of the shell.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1, the protective case is arrangedto support a pressurized fuel tank 34 in vertical position. Accordingly,a base member is provided at the bottom end of the case for supportingthe fuel tank thereon. As illustrated, the base member comprises anelongated bar 50 which extends across the bottom end of the case and issecured to one of the half shells only, to allow relative movement ofthe pair of half shells about the axis of the hinge 44.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, the bar 50 is secured to the halfshell 40 and extends across the latter outwardly beyond the axial center52 of the case. In this manner, the fuel tank is supported by the bar ona correspondingly outwardly displaced transverse line, i.e., on atransverse line disposed outwardly beyond the axial center of the tank.The tank thus is supported in a stable condition within the half shell40, when the pair of half shells are opened.

It will be observed in FIGS. 3 and 4 that, although the half shells aresubstantially semi-circular, the half shell 40 is slightly greater thana half circle and the half shell 42 is slightly less than a half circle.This arrangement is provided in order to facilitate attachment of thenarrow bar 50 to the half shell 40 in the off-center arrangement. Sincethe half shell 40 is slightly greater than one-half a circle, its radiusis slightly larger than the radius of the half shell 42, in order toaccommodate passage of the fuel tank 34 trhough the open side of theshell 40.

Means is provided for mounting the case on a vehicle frame for movementof the case between a retracted position within the perimeter of thevehicle, for protection of the fuel tank during operation of thevehicle, and an extended position projecting outwardly of the perimeterof the vehicle, for enabling opening of the case and replacement of thefuel tank, and also for allowing removal of the cover 18' to gain accessto the engine. Further, the mounting means also affords adjustment ofthe case to proper position for supporting the fuel tank.

In this latter regard, it is to be noted from FIGS. 1 and 2 that,although the fuel tank is supported in vertical position, the rearwardleg 32 of the roof support frame extends upward from the counterweight24 angularly forward (FIG. 1) and inward (FIG. 2). Accordingly, toachieve vertical positioning of the fuel tank on the vehicle of FIG. 1,the mounting means for the case is constructed to accommodate a degreeof adjustment of the latter in two perpendicular planes.

To this end, the mounting means includes a bracket, illustrated as apair of vertically spaced plates 53 secured to and projecting outwardlyfrom the shell 40 in the longitudinal direction of the latter. Eachplate is provided with a horizontally elongated opening 54 (FIG. 5) forthe reception of a clamp bolt 56. Each blamp bolt extends through anopening in one section 58 of a hinge the other section 60 of which isconnected pivotally thereto by means of a hinge pin 62.

A second bracket 64 is associated with each hinge and is securedadjustably to the hinge section 60 by means of a clamp bolt 66. Theclamp bolt extends through an opening in the hinge section and through ahorizontally elongated opening 68 in the bracket. The bracket is adaptedto be secured to the rearward leg 32 of the right hand roof framemember. Although the bracket may be secured by welding, or otherpermanent means, it preferably is secured removably by such means asbolts 70.

By means of the mounting thus described, the protective case isadjustable to the vertical position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. Theelongated openings 54 in the bracket plates 53 accommodate adjustment ofthe case vertically relative to the forward tilting of the roof frameleg 32, while the elongated openings 68 in the bracket 64 accommodateadjustment of the case vertically relative to the inward tilting of theleg 32 (FIG. 2).

The hinge component 62 of the mounting means affords pivotal movement ofthe case between the retracted and extended positions illustrated infull and broken lines, respectively, in FIG. 3. With the case swungoutward to the broken line position, the latch hook 46 may be releasedfrom the projection 48 and the shell half 42 swung open(counterclockwise about the axis of the hinge 44) to the positionillustrated in full lines in FIG. 4. The fuel tank thus is exposed foreasy removal from the shell half 40.

Means also is provided for anchoring the case in the retracted positionillustrated in full lines in FIG. 3, to prevent inadvertent outwardextension of the case during operation of the vehicle. In the embodimentof FIG. 1, the tank support bar 50 is provided with an end extension 50which supports a captive anchor screw 72 (FIG. 6) for axial rotation.The threaded shank of the screw projects downward from the extension forthreaded reception in a threaded opening 74 in an anchor block 76. Inthe preferred construction illustrated, the anchor block is hollow. Anenlarged opening 78 adjacent the threaded opening 72 allows passagetherethrough of an attaching screw 80. Registering with the opening 78is an opening 82 of smaller diameter through the opposite wall of theblock for the reception of the threaded shank of the screw 80. The shankenters a threaded opening in the cover 18' of the engine housing 18. Adrive socket may be extended through the enlarged opening 78 to engagethe head of the screw 80, for the purpose of tightening the latter, aswill be understood.

The wall 84 joining the spaced walls of the anchor block containing theopenings 74-, 78 and 82 is angled upwardly to provide a guiding surfacefor the arm extension 50' as the case is swung toward the retractedposition.

The hollow anchor block also accommodates mounting in a position toallow mounting of the bottom end of the case closer to the cover 18' ofthe engine housing 18 than is illustrated in FIG. 6. Referringparticularly to FIG. 10, the hollow anchor block is provided with asecond pair of spaced walls which interconnect the spaced wallspreviously described. However, these second walls are spaced closertogether than are the first described walls. The upper wall is providedwith a threaded opening 86 for reception of the anchor screw 72, and anenlarged opening 88 which is similar in dimension and function to theenlarged opening 78 previ ously described Aligned with said enlargedopening is an opening of smaller diameter through the opposite wallsimilar to opening 82, for reception of the securing screw 80. The upperwall also is provided with an angled section 90 which, like the angledwall previously described, serves to guide the arm extension onto theblock preliminary to anchoring with the screw.

Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, the embodiment illustrated thereinaccommodates the protective support of a pressurized fuel tank 34 inhorizontal position transversely of the vehicle between the rear legs32. For this purpose the base member 92 of the case is circular in formto completely close the associated end of the case when the shell halvesare in closed position. The base member is secured to the shell half 40only, as by welding, and the adjacent end of the other half shell 42freely overlaps it. The mounting bracket plates 53 are secured to thebase member 92, preferably on a line extending perpendicular to a planepassing through the confronting edges of the shell halves, asillustrated.

Anchoring of the case in retracted position is afforded by an anchor bar94 which is secured to the lower half shell 40, as by welding, andextends longitudinally therefrom beyond the outer end of the fuel tank.The outer end of the bar mounts the captive anchor screw 72, in the samemanner as illustrated in FIG. 6. For purposesof illustration, the anchorblock 76 is shown mounted on the counterweight 24 in the flat positionof FIG. 10.

As is well known, the fuel tank is provided internally with a pipe whichextends toward the bottom of the tank and terminates adjacent the sidewall thereof. This termination point is identified externally by one ormore openings 96 through the protective shield 36 at the outer end ofthe tank. Accordingly, means is provided for securing the tank inproperly oriented position, with the terminal end of the internal pipedisposed dowwardly. This is provided in the embodiment illustrated by anindex pin 98 secured to the anchor arm and projecting upward therefromfor reception in the index opening in the shield.

When it is desired to replace a fuel tank, the anchor screw 72 isreleased from the block 76 and the case swung counterclockwise (FIG. 8)about the axis of the hinge pin 62 to an extended position rearwardly ofthe vehicle. The latch hook 46 is disengaged from the projection 48 andthe upper shell half 42 swung open, about the common axis of the hinges44, whereupon the fuel tank may be lifted from the lower shell half 40.

A full fuel tank then may be placed in the lower shell half with itsbottom end in abutment with the base member 92 and the index pin 98entered in the index opening 96. The upper shell half then is swung toclosed position, locked with the latch hook, and the case then swunginward to the retracted position illustrated in FIG. 8 and there securedby the anchor screw 72.

In the embodiment previously described, the protec tive case is mountedon the rearward leg 32 of the roof frame member 28. FIG. 9 illustratesan embodiment of this invention which accommodates the mounting of thecase on a vehicle independently of such roof frame. Thus, an independentsupporting frame includes a horizontal sectional lltltl provided with aplurality of openings 102 therethrough for the reception of screws bywhich to secure it to a vehicle, for example to the top wall of theengine housing 18 adjacent the cover 18', or to the counterweight 24.The frame includes a vertical post pivotal extending upwardly from thehorizontal section. Since the post extends vertically, the adjustablemounting assembly previously described is not needed. Accordingly, thecase is secured to the vertical post by a simple hinge 106. One sectionof the hinge is secured to the post 104 and the other section of thehinge is secured to the case, thereby affording pivtal movement of thecase between the retracted and extended positions previously described.

In FIG. 9, the case is shown mounted for supporting a fuel tank inhorizontal position, as in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.For this purpose, said other hinge section is secured to the base member92 of the case. However, it will be understood that the embodiment ofFIG. 9 may be modified to support the case and fuel tank vertically, bysecuring one hinge section to one of the half shells, in the manner ofthe embodiment of FIG. 1.

It will be understood that the base bar 50 illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4may be replaced by a circular end closure member 92 as illustrated inFIG. 7. In such event, both half shells may be exactly semicircular incross section and of the same radius.

From the foregoing it will be appreciated that the present inventionprovides a protective support of simplified and therefore economicalconstruction capable of mounting in diverse ways on a wide variety oftypes and sizes of vehicles, for supporting a pressurized fuel tankadjustment adjsutment between a retracted, protective position and anextended position which greatly facilitates the replacement of a fueltank.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes maybe made in the size, shape, type, number and arrangement of partsdescribed hereinbefore, without departingfrom the spirit of thisinvention.

Having now described my invention and the manner in which it may beused, I claim:

1. A protective support for a pressurized fuel tank for a vehicle,comprising a. a case including a pair of half shells hinged together atone of their adjacent edges for pivotal movement of the shells relativeone to the other between a closed position in which the shells form aprotective enclosure for a fuel tank and an open position forreplacement of the fuel tank,

b. a base member secured to one end of one of the shells for abutment byone end of a fuel tank,

c. lock means releasably interengaging the pair of shells for securingthem together in said closed position, and

d. pivot means secured to the case and projecting therefrom forattachment to a vehicle, for movement of the case between a retractedposition within the perimeter of the vehicle for protection of a fueltank during operation of the vehicle and an extended position projectingoutwardly of the perimeter of the vehicle for enabling opening of thecase and replacement of the fuel tank.

2. The protective support of claim 1 wherein the pivot means is securedto one shell of the case for supporting the latter in vertical position.

3. the protective support of claim 1 wherein the pivot means is securedto the base member for supporting the case in horizontal position.

4. The protective support of claim 1 wherein the base member comprises abar secured across one of the shells outwardly beyond the axial centerof the case for supporting a fuel tank in stable condition in said shellwhen the shells are open.

5. The protective support of claim 4 wherein one end of the bar extendsradially outward ofthe shell, and anchor means is provided on saidextending end for releasable engagement with a vehicle for securing thecase releasably in said retracted position.

6. The protective support of claim 1 including anchor means extendingfrom the case for releasable engagement with a vehicle, for securing thecase releasably in said retracted position.

7. The protective support of claim 6 wherein the anchor means comprisesa bar projecting outward of the case, and an anchor member on the bararranged for releasable engagement with a vehicle.

8. The protective support of claim 7 including an anchor block adaptedto be secured to a vehicle, and means on the block releasably engagingthe anchor member.

9. The protective support of claim 7 for a fuel tank having an indexopening adjacent its outer end for orienting the tank in a horizontalplane, wherein the pivot means is secured to the base member forsupporting the base in vertical position, and including a projecting pinon the bar arranged for reception in the index opening of the fuel tankfor orienting the latter rotationally,

10. The protective support of claim 1 wherein the pivot means includesattaching means adjustable angularly relative to the pivot axis of thepivot means for adjusting the case relative to a vehicle.

11. The protective support of claim 1 wherein the pivot means comprisesa. a pair of hinge members joined together with a hinge pin,

b. a plate member secured to the case,

0. one of the hinge and plate members having a boltretaining openingtherethrough registering with a horizontally elongated opening in theother said members, and

d. a bolt extending through said openings for securing said memberstogether releasably in predetermined positions of angular adjustment.

12. The protective support of claim 1 wherein the pivot means comprisesa. a pair of hinge members joinedtogether with a hinge pin,

b. a plate member arranged to be secured to a vehicle,

c. one of the hinge and plate members having a boltretaining openingtherethrough registering with a horizontally elongated opening in theother of said members, and

d. a bolt extending through said openings for securing said memberstogether releasably in predetermined positions of angular adjustment.

13. The protective support of claim 1 wherein the pivot means comprisesa. a pair of hinge members joined together with a hinge pin,

b. a plate member secured to the case,

0. one of the hinge and plate members having a boltretaining openingtherethrough registering with a horizontally elongated opening in theother of said members,

(1. a bolt extending through said openings for securing said memberstogether releasably in predetermined positions of angular adjustment,

e. a second plate member arranged to be secured to a vehicle,

f. the second plate member and the other hinge member having registeringbolt-receiving and horizontally elongated openings therein, and

g. a bolt extending through said last mentioned openings for securingsaid members together releasably in predetermined positions of angularadjustment.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE 0F CORRECTION Patent 3, 790,183Dated February 5, 197

ln ventofl x) WILLIAM R. PRICE is certified that error appears in theabove-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are herebycorrected as shown below:

column 2, line 28, "conventioal" should read "conventional".

{column 4, line l6, "blamp" should read --clamp-.

gloolumn 7, line 44 "base in vertical" should read case in fihorizontalSigned and sealed this 30th day of July 1974.

(sin) I Afijtest: 'hMCdbY M. GIBSON, JR. C. MARSHALL DANNY Attesti ngOfficer Commissioner of Patents FORM po'mso H0459) v USCOMM-DC scan-ps9a u.& covgnnngu PRINTING orncz: In! lib-"P334

1. A protective support for a pressurized fuel tank for a vehicle,comprising a. a case including a pair of half shells hinged together atone of their adjacent edges for pivotal movement of the shells relativeone to the other between a closed position in which the shells form aprotective enclosure for a fuel tank and an open position forreplacement of the fuel tank, b. a base member secured to one end of oneof the shells for abutment by one end of a fuel tank, c. lock meansreleasably interengaging the pair of shells for securing them togetherin said closed position, and d. pivot means secured to the case andprojecting therefrom for attachment to a vehicle, for movement of thecase between a retracted position within the perimeter of the vehiclefor protection of a fuel tank during operation of the vehicle and anextended position projecting outwardly of the perimeter of the vehiclefor enabling opening of the case and replacement of the fuel tank. 2.The protective support of claim 1 wherein the pivot means is secured toone shell of the case for supporting the latter in vertical position. 3.the protective support of claim 1 wherein the pivot means is secured tothe base member for supporting the case in horizontal position.
 4. Theprotective support of claim 1 wherein the base member comprises a barsecured across one of the shells outwardly beyond the axial center ofthe case for supporting a fuel tank in stable condition in said shellwhen the shells are open.
 5. The protective support of claim 4 whereinone end of the bar extends radially outward of the shell, and anchormeans is provided on said extending end for releasable engagement with avehicle for securing the case releasably in said retracted position. 6.The protective support of claim 1 including anchor means extending fromthe case for releasable engagement with a vehicle, for securing the casereleasably in said retracted position.
 7. The protective support ofclaim 6 wherein the anchor means comprises a bar projecting outward ofthe case, and an anchor member on the bar arranged for releasableengagement with a vehicle.
 8. The protective support of claim 7including an anchor block adapted to be secured to a vehicle, and meanson the block releasably engaging the anchor member.
 9. The protectivesupport of claim 7 for a fuel tank having an index opening adjacent itsouter end for orienting the tank in a horizontal plane, wherein thepivot means is secured to the base member for supporting the base invertical position, and including a projecting pin on the bar arrangedfor reception in the index opening of the fuel tank for orienting thelatter rotationally.
 10. The protective support of claim 1 wherein thepivot means includes attaching means adjustable angularly relative tothe pivot axis of the pivot means for adjusting the case relative to avehicle.
 11. The protective support of claim 1 wherein the pivot meanscomprises a. a pair of hinge members joined together with a hinge pin,b. a plate member secured to the case, c. one of the hinge and plAtemembers having a bolt-retaining opening therethrough registering with ahorizontally elongated opening in the other said members, and d. a boltextending through said openings for securing said members togetherreleasably in predetermined positions of angular adjustment.
 12. Theprotective support of claim 1 wherein the pivot means comprises a. apair of hinge members joined together with a hinge pin, b. a platemember arranged to be secured to a vehicle, c. one of the hinge andplate members having a bolt-retaining opening therethrough registeringwith a horizontally elongated opening in the other of said members, andd. a bolt extending through said openings for securing said memberstogether releasably in predetermined positions of angular adjustment.13. The protective support of claim 1 wherein the pivot means comprisesa. a pair of hinge members joined together with a hinge pin, b. a platemember secured to the case, c. one of the hinge and plate members havinga bolt-retaining opening therethrough registering with a horizontallyelongated opening in the other of said members, d. a bolt extendingthrough said openings for securing said members together releasably inpredetermined positions of angular adjustment, e. a second plate memberarranged to be secured to a vehicle, f. the second plate member and theother hinge member having registering bolt-receiving and horizontallyelongated openings therein, and g. a bolt extending through said lastmentioned openings for securing said members together releasably inpredetermined positions of angular adjustment.